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Risk Management
900 Grant Street
Room 302
Denver, CO  80203
Phone: 720-423-3613
Fax: 720-423-3229

Fifth's Disease

Question:
We have a pregnant teacher in our school where at least one student has been diagnosed with Fifth's Disease.  What should we do?

Answer:
Fifth's Disease is a viral illness much like the common cold.  There is no need for a District policy, because it is not an infectious disease that is reportable to the State Health Department.  Most people have been exposed to Fifth's during childhood just like a common cold. The virus is transmitted from a cough, runny nose or saliva. Thus, the practice of Standard Precautions such as good hand washing and gloves when handling these body fluids, are best practices. Children are usually the ones infected and they are most contagious the day before the rash occurs and until the fever is diminished, but not all children develop common symptoms such as rash and fever. Some cases can resolve without even being detected. So once the rash occurs and the fever is gone, then children are safe to be in school.

In terms of pregnant school staff, this is a childhood illness that all adults that work with children will be exposed too. This infection is no different than any exposure to colds, flu, chickenpox, measles and other childhood illnesses. If a pregnant woman is exposed to Fifth's for the first time in her life and she is in the first half of her pregnancy, then there is a very small risk of a miscarriage. However, the good news is that most adults have acquired this infection at some point during their lives and are therefore immune to it. The best advice we can provide your pregnant staff is to check with her physician and ask to be tested.  The only treatment, as for a cold, is treatment of the symptoms, that is, Tylenol for fever, and Benadryl for the itching caused by the rash.

Risk Management does not view this exposure to a claimable Workmen's Comp issue. If your teacher's physician recommends that she not work, the type of leave that she is eligible for would be an HR question.

If you have further questions, contact DPS Nursing Services at 720-423-3861.